Hockey Openers Make This a Wonderful Time of the Year

The Minnesota Wild open their season Thursday night, October 8. The Steele County Blades host their official home opening weekend Friday and Saturday nights, October 9-10.

The Wild have had a couple of exciting playoff runs over the past two seasons, and fans are hoping for even more this season. After a road game in Colorado the home open hits Saturday, October 10, with St. Louis coming to Xcel Engery Center. The Wild bounced the Blues out of the playoffs last season.

Minnesota has a number of young players with enough experience that it should be expected they can contribute to a solid regular season and good playoff seed. There is no shortage of proven veterans on the team as well.

The Steele County Blades are starting their fourth season of junior hockey at Four Seasons in Owatonna. After playing a few home games in the west rink, the Blades open up the main east rink this weekend against the Dells Ducks. Games are at 7PM both Friday and Saturday. The Ducks were one of the top teams in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League last winter, winning their division and advancing to the national semifinals. The Ducks and Blades move to the United State Premier Hockey League this season.

High school hockey isn't too far off. Girls' practice begins October 26. Owatonna will play its first game on Thursday, November 5, versus Mankato East. Prep boys' practice starts November 9. The Huskies' first game is Saturday, November 21 against St. Paul Academy and Summit School at Four Seasons. Youth hockey starts even sooner.

Gopher men's hockey hosts their hall of fame game Saturday, October 10. The Gopher women have started their season at 2-0.